- Team form: Leyton Orient have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Opponent form: Stevenage have won their last 2 and are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 in all competitions.
- Head-to-head: Both teams have an even record in the last 5 head-to-head meetings (W2, L2, D1).
Stevenage to edge a cagey affair
Recent form and standings
Leyton Orient head into Saturday's game on a 2 match losing streak after a 1-1 draw at Luton Town in League One was followed by a 1-3 home defeat to Bradford City in the EFL Cup, and a 2-3 home loss to Wycombe Wanderers in League One. The O's have won only 2 of their 6 League One matches (D1, L3) in 2026-2027 and currently sit 15th with 7 points from 6 games, while Stevenage Borough have 9 points from 6 matches and are 9th, 2 places and 2 points above them in the standings.
Tactics
Richie Wellens has been in charge of Orient since 9th March 2022 and has shaped this team around a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation where they like to build the ball through the thirds and counter-press when the ball is won back. They can be vulnerable here though, as their midfield can be overrun if the Stevenage press is broken.
The Boro are a different proposition to most teams in the division as Alex Revell, who has been in charge since 17th April 2024, sets them up to be compact, aggressive and quick in transition. The visitors arrive on the back of a 5-1 hammering of Barnsley in away and a 2-1 win over Luton at home in League One and look like they'll get to Orient's defense quicker than most sides in this division.
Key players
- Jaze Kabia is Orient's most dangerous player this season and is the top scorer in League One with 4 goals in 6 games and has 4 of their last 8 goals.
- Dan Kemp is Stevenage's livewire and top scorer with 3 goals in 6 League One games and has 3 of their last 8.
- Demetri Mitchell has 3 assists in Orient's last 8 goals over the last 5 matches and is the most likely creator here.
Home and away form
The Boro have been a road warrior in League One 2026-2027, winning 1 and drawing 2 of their 3 away matches, and they could catch Orient cold here with their wave-like pressing and quick vertical attacks.
Orient have made a mess of home duty in the league this season, taking 0 draws and 3 defeats from 3 at the Breyer Group Stadium. They are averaging 1.33 goals scored and 2.67 conceded per home game in League One, so they are open to pressure.
Stevenage double chance is the value
The bookmakers have Orient as slight favorites here at 2.25, but I'm going to take the 3.15 about The Boro, who have an away advantage and have won 2 of their last 3 visits to Leyton Orient. 2.5 goals and under looks like the better option at 1.67 than the match result markets as there is a little bit of a disconnect between the teams, and Stevenage's efficiency on the break and Orient's home struggles point to a close game.
So, while it feels like a close one, I'm taking Stevenage to nick it.
